SPECIALIZED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONSULTANT

Specialized Behavioral Health Consultant - 60010597The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency's mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Within SAMH, the (Central) Regional Office staff ensure that individuals and families have timely access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services across the region. They collaborate with local providers, community partners, and key stakeholders to identify service gaps, enhance resource availability, and promote continuity of care. The (Central) Regional Office monitors program performance, addresses barriers to service delivery, and fosters cross-system collaboration to strengthen the regional behavioral health network and improve overall outcomes for the communities served.The Specialized Behavioral Health Consultant (SBHC) serves as a clinical expert within the child welfare and broader community-based systems of care, focusing on improving outcomes for youth, children, and their families. This position plays a vital role in identifying and addressing behavioral health needs with the youth. The SBHC operates across multiple systems and works collaboratively with regional stakeholders to ensure timely, appropriate, and coordinated access to care. With a concentrated focus on youth behavioral health issues, the SBHC supports children and families by facilitating effective linkages to services, promoting engagement, and navigating complex systems of care. Through integrated and collaborative approaches, the SBHC helps ensure that families receive the support and resources necessary to achieve long-term stability, improve family functioning, and promote overall well-being.Specific duties and responsibilities include:Provide clinical consults and collaborating with Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) regarding youth behavioral health disorders, enhance family engagement, and improve access to appropriate treatment, recovery support, and community resources.SBHC will assist by providing regular education on behavioral health indicators, the effects of behavioral health conditions on parenting behavior, and engagement strategies, expertise and consultation regarding the identification of cases involving behavioral health conditions and evidence-informed engagement strategies.Responsible for building and sustaining strong partnerships with law enforcement, community-based care agencies, the regional managing entity (ME), managed care plans, schools, peer networks, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and other community partners to promote coordinated care.The SBHC also promotes improved communication, accountability, and service quality across systems and contributes to statewide efforts to strengthen the System of Care.Responsible for overseeing and coordinating care, connecting families with needed resources, conducting follow-ups within 6 weeks with parent to ensure that services are in place, and they are receiving necessary support.Participate in local review team staffing, and multidisciplinary team meetings staffing's to support case progress and improve outcomes for children and families. As well as any additional designated staffing's/meeting as requested by supervisor.Track and documents all cases in which they provide support, submitting reports and statistical data as required by the Department.Work with crisis stabilization units and other providers to reduce Baker Acts and reliance on higher levels of care, as well as attending community meetings.Support Behavioral Health Consultants by consulting on mental health-only cases, collaborating with CPIs and case managers to identify mental health disorders, improve family engagement, and enhance access to treatment and community resources. When necessary, they may conduct brief assessments with parents to inform service recommendations and help CPIs understand how a caregiver's mental health may impact parenting capacity and safety planning.Travel is required throughout the state and may include overnight stays. May also be called upon to assist with disaster recovery efforts and participate in Critical Incident Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) case investigations as needed throughout the state.Emphasis is placed on expertise in addressing opioid use disorders. Work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and potentially operating from outside assigned duty location. May be called upon to fulfill duties beyond the outlined responsibilities to meet urgent regional or organizational needs.Emergency Response In response to emergency events, the incumbent may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the position description. Deploy to communities affected by natural disasters within 24-48 hours of impact to represent the organization to promote and implement post-disaster services. Assess the impact, needs and assist with the development of a response strategy and goals for the impacted community and implement disaster response plans. Coordinate psychological and mental health resources and services for individuals, first responders, and communities impacted by disasters. Provide critical information to the Regional Director and Director of Regional Operations and Initiatives.Knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position:Have advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively support children, youth, and families involved in the child welfare system. A strong understanding of mental health disorders, with an emphasis on how these issues impact family functioning and child safety.Knowledgeable in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and other evidence-based practices that support early intervention and family engagement.A solid understanding of child development, family systems, and the behavioral health service continuum is essential.Strong interpersonal and communication skills are critical for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, community partners, and families across diverse settings.Ability to build and maintain cross-system relationships with agencies such as law enforcement, schools, managed care organizations, and behavioral health providers.Ability to work independently, exercise sound clinical judgment, prioritize tasks, and respond flexibly to urgent needs, including disaster recovery efforts and after-hours support.Proficient in documentation, data tracking, and ethical practice is also required to ensure compliance with departmental standards and the effective coordination of care.Minimum qualifications:A master's degree in a health or human services-related field.Florida license in the areas of psychology, social work, mental health counseling, family and marriage therapy or registered intern, or master's level Certified Addiction Professional. Acceptable: LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, MCAP, Licensed PsychologistA minimum of three years of experience treating substance use disorders.Working knowledge of the child welfare and behavioral health systems and knowledge related to the impact of behavioral health conditions on parenting capacity.Knowledge/understanding of the impact of substance use disorders and mental health conditions on parenting ability and child safety.Valid Class E Driver License.Preference will be given to applicants who have:Knowledge of the child welfare system and motivational interviewing.Benefits of working for the State of Florida:Health insuranceLife insurance: $25,000 policy is free plus option to purchase additional life insurance.Dental, vision and supplemental insuranceRetirement plan options, including employer contributions.Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.Flexible Spending Accounts.Opportunities for career advancement.Tuition waiver for public college courses.And more!